Looking for bike for casual usage - under £350

[vickster]

Start in Newcastle have this and a few other sub £500 options
https://startfitness.co.uk/products/gt-transeo-sport-hybrid-bike-2021-blue

 

[MichaelW2]

The Neon is the next level groupset up again, even from the Escape and those Cubes, with Sora being 9 speed cassette. But it doesn't say what range the cassette is - probably 11-30 or 11-32, it does state the chainset at 50/34.

Groupset names are a little confusing because mountain bikes have one set, while road bikes have another, and hybrids may have either road or mountain bike sets.

For road bikes, they go Tourney (7 speed), Claris (8), Sora(9), Tiagra(10), 105(11 mechanical, 12 electronic), Ultegra(12), Dura-Ace(12). You won't be getting anything above Sora at your price point and probably not above Claris.

In MTB groupsets, the bottom one (7 speed) is still Tourney, but then there are several different similar level sets above that. Altus is the most likely next level, and comes in both 8 speed and 9 speed versions. But Alivio and Acera are also both 9 speed cassettes, then Deore wil be 10 speed.

Shimano bits are all good quality, esp the entry level ones but there is quite a big jump in quality from 7 speed to 8 speed. Smaller jump from 8 to 9 speed.

 

[BoldonLad]

How do men buy trousers if they don't know their inside leg measurement?

It isn't even as if that changes once you reach adulthood, unlike your waist.

isn't that what mothers/wives are for, ie, to know these things?

 

[BoldonLad]

Doesn't seem to rlly specify any measurements, but both the Cube bikes have very few options in stock. Giant escape has some stock but that would quite heavily stretch my max budget Including accessories.

I’ve equally been told by the Evan‘s staff by phone that the Neon’s are really good bikes, and some of the staff even use them, minimal feedback on the Lithium.

In laymen terms, I don’t understand the difference between them other than the £150 price tag.

I recently bought two bicycles from Infinity Cycles, I was able to haggle on the price, and, so far, their service has been spot on. Also, there is a large Giant Store (which I have also used, bought an Escape and a Liv there a few years ago), on outskirts of Newcastle, but, that may be difficult to get to on public transport.

 

[KieranC]

I recently bought two bicycles from Infinity Cycles, I was able to haggle on the price, and, so far, their service has been spot on. Also, there is a large Giant Store (which I have also used, bought an Escape and a Liv there a few years ago), on outskirts of Newcastle, but, that may be difficult to get to on public transport.

How recent? As I know specialised bought them this year, and been a big name feel they’d be less willing to haggl.

 

[BoldonLad]

How recent? As I know specialised bought them this year, and been a big name feel they’d be less willing to haggl.

Since they were bought out. About 10-11 weeks ago, I bought two Specialised Vado, one for me, one for my wife. I was buying two rather expensive bikes, but, they matched the price I could get them online (although, to be honest, they were not available online until 2023, given todays lead-times).

Always worth a try, worst that can happen is they say "no". Shy bairns get nowt, as the saying goes.

 

[KieranC]

Since they were bought out. About 10-11 weeks ago, I bought two Specialised Vado, one for me, one for my wife. I was buying two rather expensive bikes, but, they matched the price I could get them online (although, to be honest, they were not available online until 2023, given todays lead-times).

Always worth a try, worst that can happen is they say "no". Shy bairns get nowt, as the saying goes.

That’s not so much haggling, that’s a price match policy of some sort

 

[BoldonLad]

That’s not so much haggling, that’s a price match policy of some sort

Well, what ever you want call it, I paid less.